[ale] raw files in the Gimp

[Drifter]

Old camera died.  Got new camera (Nikon -- didn't want to toss a half 
dozen lenses)
New camera produces RAW files in format <filename.NEF>
If I open the image in Gimp, only the icon file is available.
The original image is 12 Mgb (more or less), but the file in Gimp is only
209 Kb -- 160 x 120 pixels.

So, can The Gimp handle Nikon RAW files?

If so, how do I set it up to do that?

Advice would be appreciated.

Sean